LIBRARY 

OF   THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

01  FT    OF 


ant) 

for 


Bv  A.  A.  G. 


BOSTON 
CUPPLES   AND    HURT) 

&!}£  Algonquin 


SONGS   AND  VERSES    FOR 
CHRISTMAS. 


SONGS  AND  VERSES 


FOR 


CHRISTMAS 


BY 

ADELE    A.    GLEASON 


'UNIVERSITY; 


BOSTON 

CUPPLES    AND    KURD 
Cfje  Algonquin 

1888. 


COPYRIGHT,  1888, 
BY   A.  A.   GLEASON. 

^3/^5 

All  rights  reserved. 


To 

MY  FA  TfTER, 
WHOSE  DAILY  LIFE  is  AN  UNWRITTEN  POEM. 


CONTENTS. 


Page 

My  Father's  Kiss 1 1 

The  Old  Love 12 

The  New  Love .         .         .         .         .         -13 

The  Water  Lily 14 

My  Friend         .         .         .          .          .  *      .      15 

To  S.  L.  C. 16 

The  Birch  Tree 17 

The  Falling  Star 19 

The  Lighthouse  .  .  .  .  .20 
The  King's  Tears  .  .  .  .  .21 
Comrade  .......  23 

Not  There 24 

Butterflies 26 

2 wo  Angels       .         .         .         .         .         -27 

An  Old  Song 28 

The  Tiger  Lily  and  the  Rose  .  .  .29 
The  Kiss 31 


Contents. 


Page 

White  Loves     . 

•      32 

Trillium    .         . 

-     33 

The  Violet 

.         .         .     34 

Unfilled    .... 

.         .         -35 

Thy  Crown 

.      >       .     36 

Good  Night!     . 

•     37 

At  the  Gate      . 

.         •         •     38 

The  White  Cloud      . 

•     39 

The  Blackened  Branch 

.     40 

The  Storm 

.     41 

The  Basil  Pot  .         .         . 

•     42 

Pine  Lake 

•     43 

Tempted    .... 

•     44 

Pardon      .... 

.         .         .     46 

A  I  tt 

.     48 

Cupid's  Song     . 

•     49 

Trust        .... 

•     5° 

Alone         .... 

•     51 

Sealed  Orders    . 

•     53 

Thine  Eyes 

•     54 

August     . 

•     55 

The  Captive 

.         •         •     56 

The  Orchard    . 

•     57 

Contents.  p 

Page 

Bivouac    .......     58 

Buddha 's  Mirror      .         .         .         .         -59 

Suspicion  .         .         .         .         .         .         .60 

Invisible    .         .         .         .         .         .         .61 

The  Buttercup  Song  .         .         .         .62 

Consider  the  Lily 63 

Dawn       ...  ...     65 

In  Church 66 

Autumn  Moods.    I.    .         .         .         .         .69 

Friends      .......     70 

Autumn  Moods.    II.          .         .         .  71 

Autumn  Moods.  III.         .         .         .         .72 

L'Ami  Jean 73 

The  Astral  Body 74 

Guilty  or  not  Guilty          .         .         .         -75 

Parted 76 

Grafting  .         .  .     77 

Court  Martial 78 

A  Song  for  a  Sweetheart  .         .         .         .     79 

Paradise   .......     80 

The  Prepared  Table  .         .         .         .81 

An  Old  Song    ......     82 

My  Loneliness   .         .         .         .         .         -83 


IO  Contents. 

Page 

Dreams     .         .         .         .         .         .         .84 

Gray  Hair       .         .         .         .         .         .86 

Crowned  .         .         .      . ".         .         .         .     87 

The  Will  of  the  Spirit  .  fp  .  .88 
My  Prayer  .  .  .  >  ;  .  .  89 
To  Edith 90 


• 

OF  THl?^ 

[UNIVERSITY: 


MY  FATHER'S  KISS. 

FIRST  born,  the  lips  have  no  impress. 
Shapeless  the  clay,  no  thought  inwrought. 
Eyes  learn  the  first  to  look,  and  then  to  weep. 
But  blessed  are  the  lips  that  keep, 
Through  life,  as  seal-mark  set  in  wax, 
The  half-creative  kiss  of  fatherhood. 
No  other  kiss  can  fit  that  mould, 
Nor  can  it  break  until  Death's  hold 
Break  the  sealed  letter  of  a  life  that's  writ 
From  earthly  fatherhood  to  that  above  ! 


12  Songs  and  Verses. 


THE  OLD  LOVE. 

As  to  the  oak  trees,  all  the  cruel  winter, 
The  dead  leaves  hold, 

Frost  bitten, 

Storm  smitten, 

Snow  laden — faithful, 

Till,  at  the  springtime, 

Sweet  airs  and  sunshine 

Come  to  woo 

Leafage  new, 

They  silently  fall, 

Still  as  a  breath, 

Faithful  till  death  ! 

So  will  I  go,  unreproachful ;  for  sweeter 
Is  new  love  than  old. 


Songs  and  Verses.  13 


THE  NEW  LOVE. 

SING  I  the  new  love, 

The  fresh  love, 

The  fair  love, 

New  as  the  sunrise 

And  fair  as  the  dawn. 

Pluck  now  the  fresh  rose, 

The  fair  rose, 

The  sweet  rose, 

For  who  knows 

How  soon  it  may  fade  ? 

Sing  now  the  new  song, 

The  gay  song, 

The  bright  song, 

Sing  with  the  same  voice 

That  once  sang  the  old. 


14.  Songs  and   Verses. 

The  song  is  old, 
The  love  is  cold, 
The  story  told. 


THE  WATER  LILY. 

DID  fair  Ophelia's  dying  face 

Sink  down  among  thy  level  leaves  ? 

Is  it  the  breath  of  her  despair 
Thy  pearly  petal  softly  breathes  ? 

Then,  growing  epitaph,  o'er  sweet, 

The  level  water  is  thy  rest, 
Thou  canst  not  from  it  raise  thy  head, — 

So  drooped  Ophelia's  on  her  lover's  breast. 


Songs  and  Verses. 

Thy  purity  and  sweetness  mute, 
Thy  feeble  stem,  still  speak 

That  lily  maid  forlorn,  who  knew 
Only  to  die,  when  hearts  did  break. 


MY  FRIEND. 

THE  pine  tree's  virtue  hath  thy  soul ! 
It  scorns  the  winter  and  the  sun's  neglect, 
And  keeps  as  brave  a  color  for  the  storm 
As  any  maple  that  the  May  can  deck, 
For  June  and  sunny  blue  of  sky. 
Yet  is  there  mourning  in  its  loyal  heart, 
For  what  I  know  not,  yet  I  hear  it  groan. 
What  passeth  ?  that  it  makes  a  moan  ? 


16  Songs  and  Verses. 


To  S.  L.  C. 

O  SWEET,  brave  eyes,  that  look  straight  on 

In  destiny's  supreme  despite, 
And  carry  to  the  darkest  heart, 

Asked  or  unasked,  the  holy  light 
Of  love,  untouched  by  care 
Of  comprehension  or  return  ! 

Look  on,  brave  eyes,  immortal  look, 
Unsullied  by  the  world's  restraint ; 

Not  choosing  measured  looks  to  dole, 
This  one  for  sinner,  and  that  for  saint ; 

Alike  as  flowers  that  bloom  the  same 

For  funeral  or  for  wedding  fane. 


Songs  and  Verses.  77 

Seek  out  thy  royal  peers  —  O  eyes  ! 

Nor  heed  the  scoffer's  evil  thought. 
Ye  know  rewards  that  still  in  vain 

Such  "  meaning  glances  "  never  bought. 
Look  on  and  up,  in  your  own  truth, 
O  eyes  that  are  immortal  youth  ! 


THE  BIRCH  TREE. 

As  the  birch  tree,  growing  taller 

By  the  running  of  the  stream, 
Sends  across  its  darkling  bosom, 

From  its  branch,  a  silver  gleam  ;  — 
So  thy  presence  bright  leans  o'er  me, 

So  I  feel  the  silver  glow 
Of  thy  brighter  face,  that,  smiling, 

Shines  upon  me  as  I  go. 


Songs  and  Verses. 

And  we  knew  what  says  the  birch  tree, 

And  we  knew  what  says  the  stream  : 
"  I  will  touch  you,"  say  its  branches ; 

"  I  am  running,"  says  the  stream ; 
"  But  I  cannot  bend  me  lower  ;  " 

"  And  I  cannot  raise  my  heart  ;" 
"  Winds  that  leave  me  " — 
"  Drouth  of  summer  " — 

Hold  the  thirst  and  wave  apart. 

When  the  winds  come  in  the  Autumn, 

When  the  rains  flush  up  the  streams, 
Down  will  dip  those  silver  branches 

Where  but  now  their  shadow  leans. 
Then  the  stream  shall  rush  on  faster, 

As  it  every  leaf  would  steal ;  — 
Dost  thou  feel  the  storm  on-coming 

As  I  now  the  flood  tides  feel  ? 


Songs  and  Verses. 


THE  FALLING  STAR. 

THE  thoughts  of  God  that  reach  the  earth 

Are  like  His  stars  that  fall : 
They  die  before  they  touch  the  place 

That  is  the  grave  of  all. 
But  when  they  pass  they  lead  the  soul 

To  seek  their  place  afar, 
To  see  His  stars  in  fixity, 

And  love  them  where  thev  are. 


2O  Songs  and   Verses. 


THE  LIGHTHOUSE. 

OUT  of  the  storm  and  the  darkness 

To  the  peace  of  thy  heart  would  I  come, 

Into  the  shine  of  thy  presence, 
My  beautiful  light,  my  sun  ! 

Shine  on  me,  warm  me,  and  light  me, 
Let  me  read  my  fate  in  thine  eyes,  — 

My  tired,  bewildered  spirit 
Unto  their  glory  flies. 

No  !     Like  the  bird  at  the  window, 
Where  the  cold  glass  smites  its  heart, 

Thine  eyes  are  the  fatal  glory, 
Thy  smile  plays  the  cruel  part. 


Songs  and  Verses.  21 


THE  KING'S  TEARS. 

THEY  say  King  David,  on  his  throne 
Amidst  his  purple,  muffled  up  his  face 

And  wept. 

His  armed  men  came  forth,  and  drew 
Their  swords  as  shelter  for  his  royal  form 

In  tears. 

And  every  slave  that  bore  his  mark 
Bowed  down  beneath  his  feet,  nor  dared  look  up 

For  fear. 

And  all  the  maidens  that  he  loved 
Did   shed   hot  tears  upon    their   white    arms 
thrown 

Upon  the  earth. 

Then  came  the  magi  of  the  realm 
To  know  by  art  the  monarch's  secret  pain,  — 

And  failed. 


22  Songs  and   Verses. 

Then  did  there  step  from  out  the  ranks 
A  maiden  fairer  than  them  all,  who  said, 

"'Tis  I. 

"They  who  withstand  the  king,  I  know 
"  Shall  surely  die.     His  royal  tears  condemn. 

"  Tis  I." 

Then  spake  the  king,  his  mantle  dropped, 
"  I  weep  because  she  is  the  first  I  kissed, 

"  Nor  wifte..  tf/ZT^T^Z-* 
"Had  she  refused  me,  though  a  king, 
"I  would  forgive;  but  that    she    kissed    and 
loved  me  not 

"  Is  death." 


Songs  and  Verses.  23 


COMRADE. 

COMRADE,  leave  me  !  It  is  treason 
For  you  but  to  turn  your  head 

Thus  to  look  on  me,  the  wounded, 
Midst  the  dying  and  the  dead. 

Still  the  banner,  never  taken, 
Floats  before  my  fainting  eyes ; 

Never  shaken 

Still  those  battlements  arise. 

Do  not  lean  o'er  me  to  listen 
Tho'  I  moan  a  loyal  word, 

Flash  and  glisten, 

Lifted  still,  thy  broken  sword ! 


24.  Songs  and  Verses. 

This  the  last  word  that  I  utter  — 
A  Dieu,  I  slowly  pray. 

Stand  and  mutter 

Adieu,  then  march  away. 


NOT  THERE. 

THE  roses  on  my  bosom  seem  to  listen  for  his 

step, 
The  clock  strikes   on  the    passing  hour,   not 

coming  !  not  come  yet  ! 
Is  it  my  dress  that  rustles,  or  is  it  the  maple 

leaves  ? 
Or   is    it  the  winded    dripping,  from  out   the 

rainful  eaves  ? 


Songs  and  Verses.  2j 

Faintly   "  Come,"   I  call ;    and   blush,  for   no 

knock  was  there  ! 
What  is  it  that  keeps  me  waiting  ?     I  know  he 

is  not  there. 


Not  there  beyond  the  doorway,  where  my  fool 
ish  heart  will  be, 

Not  there  where  I  see  the  shadow  under  the 
maple  tree., 

Not  there,  not  there,  my  lover;  but   here  in 

heart  and  brain, — 
The  mystical  real  presence,  never  to  go  again. 


Songs  and  Verses. 


BUTTERFLIES. 

BUTTERFLIES,  butterflies,  yellow  and  crimson, 
How  do  ye  mock  me  in  fluttering  by. 

Seems  ye  would  lure  from  the  fair  arm    of 

Psyche 
Even  the  fabled  one  with  ye  to  fly. 

Butterflies,  butterflies,  purple  and  silver, 
Chasing  the  thistledown  over  the  grass. 

Kisses  of  lovers,  or  sleep  dreams  of  children, 
Wandering  flowers,  ye  seem  as  ye  pass. 

Tent,  Sept.  ist. 


Songs  and  Verses. 


TWO  ANGELS. 

ANGEL  of  the  parting  day 

Stay  while  I  pray, 
For  thy  face  is  royal-bright. 

I  fear  the  night. 
I  beseech  thee,  kiss  for  me 

When  thou  shalt  see, 
Dawn's  angel  ;  e'er  he  come 

His  day  be  won. 


28  Songs  and   Verses. 


AN  OLD  SONG. 

YES,  forget  me,  when  we're  parted. 

Like  a  song,  or  jest,  or  dream,  — 
Nay,  I  would  not  be  too  real  — 

Say  at  parting,  "  It  did  seem  !" 

When  we  meet  again,  remember 
Just  enough  to  make  me  dear, 

As  an  old  song,  that  surprises 
The  half-listening,  willing  ear. 

If  you  dream,  forbear  to  tell  it, 
So  my  name  in  silence  wear. 

And  the  meaning  of  thy  dreaming, 
Both  alike  —  we  will  forbear. 


Songs  and  Verses.  29 

If  you  dream,  forbear  to  tell  it, 
Howe'er  sweet  the  meaning  be. 

I'm  the  dream  and  I  the  meaning. 
Ah  !  thou  hast  forgotten  me. 

Tent,  Sept.,  1885. 


THE  TIGER  LILY  AND  THE  ROSE. 

ONCE  in  a  royal  garden,  its  chalice  sunlit  fire, 
A  knightly  tiger  lily  did  woo  in  its  desire 

A  rose  that  on  a  trellis  near 

Did  bloom  and  blush  there,  higher  ! 

O  faint,  fair  rose,   thy   petals  drop   into  that 
lily's  heart, 

He  knows  not  that  ye  die  to  give  — while  so 
ye  are  apart. 


jo  Songs  and  Verses. 

Forlorn  and  leafless  hangs  the  rose 
And  full  the  tiger  lily's  heart. 


And  at  the  dusk  his  petals,  bronze  and  gold, 

Will  proudly  close 

Upon  the  perfumed  fading  petals  of  the  rose. 
And  this  the  love  I  sing  to  thee 

Of  lily  and  of  rose. 


Songs  and  Verses.  31 


THE  KISS. 

YES,  I  hear  thee  undenying, 
I  did  kiss  thee  for  love's  trying. 
Forth  the  barbed  arrow  sprang 
At  the  fatal  bowstring's  twang. 
I  did  kiss,  for  fond  love's  trying. 
Leave  me  now,  for  love  is  eying. 
What  can  I,  though  undenying  ? 


32  Songs  and   Verses. 


WHITE  LOVES. 

UPON  the  snowy  Alpine  heights  the  Edelweiss 

doth  grow  ; 
Upon  the  fervid  August  floods  the   water  lily 

blow; 
The  same  white  meaning  to  my  soul,  from  fire 

and  from  snow. 
For  Nature  hath,  like  human  hearts,  its  passive 

flowers  twain  — 
One  blooms  when  life  is  at  its  flood,  and  one 

in  death's  rich  pain. 
Which  shall  I  take  from  out  thy  hand  when 

we  shall  meet  again  ? 


Songs  and  Verses. 


TRILLIUM. 

EFFLORESCENCE  fair  ;  triune  whiteness  ! 
Thou  art  among  the  flowers  the  Sabbath  witness. 
The  Virgin  loves  thee,  for  thou  bloom'st    un- 
kissed 

Among  the  other  flowers  thy  perfume  missed. 

They  woo  thee  not ;  but  softly  say, 

It  is  the  Sabbath,  she  hath  bloomed  to-day. 


Songs  and   Verses. 


THE  VIOLET. 

HE  took  from  off  my  weary  heart 
The  faded  flowers  of  love's  gone  life, 

And,  freshly  blown  and  royal  grown, 
He  gave,  the  purple  violet. 

Not  the  cold  gleam  of  amethyst 
Salutes  me  yet :  I  still  may  let 

Thee  give  me  at  our  tryst,  my  friend, 
One  flower,  the  royal  violet. 

Thy  proud  humility  well  suits 
Its  regal  tint,  its  humble  pose. 

Ah  !  friend,  I  yield  the  purple,  tho' 
Thou  canst  not  wear  the  rose. 


Songs  and  Verses. 


UNTILLED. 

Two  roses,  fragrant,  wild,  and  fresh  ! 
Their  torn  stems  pleading  for  the  wayside  bush 
That  bore  them,  out  of  stony  earth, 
Unowned,  untilled,  — but  fairer  so  for  me 
Than  garden  bloom,  which  hath  its  price. 
Give  me  naught  else  ;  nor  ever  tame 
An  impulse,  wild  and  lawless  tho'  it  be, 
To  any  dexterous  service  wrought 
For  promise,  not  for  memory. 


Songs  and   Verses. 


THY  CROWN. 

THY  forehead  whitens  ! 

Year  by  year  its  right 

To  wear  the  chaplet 

There,  where  sweats  of  pain 

And  work  are  chrysms 

Better  than  baptismal  font  hath  given 

Has  come  ;  I  set  thereon 

The  shadeless  crown ! 


Songs  and  Verses. 


GOOD  NIGHT! 

OH  !  what  is  sadder  than  to  say  Good  night 
To  empty  air,  and  feel  the  blight 
Of  silence  answering  to  the  tone, 
And  know  thereby  —  I  am  alone  ! 

Alone!  still  did  I  say  Good  night,  dear  love  ! 
Through  distance  lone  my  poor  heart  strove 
In  words  that  fall  upon  the  empty  air  — 
Good  night,  dear  Ave,  good  night. 


38  Songs  and  Verses. 


AT   THE  GATE. 

I  DREAMED  that  I  lay  dying, 
And  my  lover  came  to  me, 

And  on  my  lips  and  forehead 
Did  set  his  kisses  three. 

And,  while  my  flying  spirit 
Lingered  to  taste  this  bliss, 

There  closed  again  the  gateway 
Between  that  world  and  this. 


Songs  and  Verses. 


THE  WHITE  CLOUD. 

A  CLOUD  that  never  rose  from  out  the  sea, 
A  cloud  whose  ermined  majesty 
No  swamp  nor  reptile-breeding  pool 
Gave  birth  to.     Oh  !  white  scroll, 
That  like  an  alabaster  seal 
Marks  in  the  blue  a  grand  appeal 
To  those  that  shall  be  pure  in  soul  ! 


Songs  and   Verses. 


THE  BLACKENED  BRANCH. 

THE  blackened  pine  tree's  dying  branch 
Lies  stark  across  the  rising  moon. 

So  stands  the  tree ;  the  moon  shall  rise 
In  unmasked  glory  soon. 

So,  dark  across  thy  shining  life 

My  fate's  black  arm  doth  plainly  lie. 

My  fate  and  I  shall  stand  alone, 
Thy  life  shall  pass  us  by. 


Songs  ana   Verses.  41 


THE   STORM. 

As  bends  the  tree  in  the  wind 

Before  the  rain, 
So  do  I  bow,  when  thou  comest, 

In  sudden  pain. 
I  know  thou  comest  for  love, 

Hopeless  again. 
To  the  storm  of  thy  grief  I  yield. 

Not  in  disdain 
Do  I  hold  to  my  roots  :  1  repose  ; 

I  stand  the  strain. 


Songs  and   Verses, 


THE   BASIL   POT. 

So  now  he  hath  forgotten  all ! 

Tis  well.    I  said  he  must. 
I  wonder  that  I  wish  to  take 

The  dry  root  from  the  dust 
To  see  if  it  is  dead,  forsooth. 

Can  my  proud  heart  e'er  be 
A  basil  pot  in  which  to  nurse 

A  memory  of  thee  ? 


So7^gs  and   Verses.  4.3 


PINE  LAKE. 

BEAM  of  the  golden  sun,  kiss  her  gold  hair, 
Kiss  it  as  I  would 

Were  I  but  there. 

Wind  from  the  beech  tree,  say  some  sweet  word, 
Say  it  as  I  would 

Were  I  but  heard. 

Colors  of  sunset,  catch  up  her  bright  smiles, 
Reflect  them  upon  me 

And  count  not  the  miles. 

Shine  of  the  mystic  moon,  creep  to  her  pillow, 
Lie  there  and  dream  with  her, 

Would  I  could  also. 

Light  of  her  rising  star,  light  her  hopes  for  her, 
Light  of  her  setting  star, 

Take  her  fear  from  her. 


44  Songs  and  Verses. 

Strength  of   a  stronger  heart,  reach   low  and 

love  her, 
As  doth  the  word  of  her 

Friend  and  her  lover. 


TEMPTED. 

TEMPTED!   Yes;  my  soul  must  meet  it 
Would  to-morrow  need  not  come  ! 

All  the  long  night  I  rehearse  it,  — 
Would  to  God  it  need  not  come  ! 

Calm  I  am ;  it  is  not  real  ; 

Half  it  seems  to  me  a  dream. 
When  the  stated  time  hath  brought  it, 

Will  the  dreaded  thing  be  seen  ? 


Songs  and   Verses.  45 

Seen  as  now  it  glares  upon  me, 

Tempts  me  with  its  eyes  and  breath, 

Calls  me  to  its  bosom,  saying 
"  Love  me,  tho'  I  be  thy  death." 


Cease,  prophetic  voice  within  me. 

Cursed  be  the  voice  !    It  crieth, 
"That  temptation  shall  o'erthrow  thee, 

By  its  subtilties  thou  diest." 


Rise,  my  angel !  come  and  shield  me  ! 

Bare  thy  sword,  my  naked  breast 
Shall  receive  thy  weapon,  rather 

Than  beneath  that  shield  to  rest. 


46  Songs  and  Verses. 

So,  no  morrow  shall  awake  me. 

So,  I  need  not  go  to  meet 
That  which  surely  shall  o'erthrow  me, 

Trample  me  with  cruel  feet. 


PARDON. 

NAY,  if  thou  wilt  forgive  me, 

Do  it  without  a  plea ! 
Let  me  see  how  royal  thou  art 

If  thou  wouldst  humble  me  ! 
Dost  know  that  the  cloak  of  forgiveness 

Is  the  prophet's  seamless  garb  ? 
He  only  leaves  it  to  others 

When  he  goes  heavenward. 


Songs  and   Verses. 

Wait  not  for  my  tears  to  compel  thee. 

Thou  canst  not  heal  me  so. 
Before  my  pitiful  penance 

Let  thy  rich  forgiveness  flow. 
So  shalt  thou  gain,  while  I'm  losing 

What  is  wasted  if  thou  delay. 
Celebrated,  a  king  with  pardon, 

Thy  coronation  day ! 


Songs  and  Verses. 


A  LETTER. 

I  MISS  thee  !  yet  would  not  recall. 

As  one  who  largess  from  a  king  receives 

And  cannot  count  his  treasure  ;  only  grieves 

To  see  the  royal  presence  vanish  out  of  sight. 

And,  when  the  great  one's  gone  indeed, 

Counts  up  the  sum  of  blessing  with  delight, 

Nor  ever  thinks  to  ask  for  more. 

So  hast  thou  left  thy  love's  and  wisdom's  store 

For  me  to  count  alone,  nor  dare  to  ask 

For  thy  return. 


Songs  and  Verses. 


CUPID'S  SONG. 

OH  !  I  mind  me  of  the  kisses 

That  I've  spent  for  love's  brief  blisses  ! 

Oh  !  I  mind  me  of  the  smart 

When  the  throbbing  lips  did  part. 

O  !  I  mind  me  of  the  art 

Used  to  barb  the  arrow's  dart. 

O  !  I  mind  me,  in  love's  mart, 

How  to  match  a  kiss  and  heart. 


Songs  and   Verses. 


TRUST. 

WHAT  barrier  can  I  set  between  us  ? 

What  stronghold  find  wherein  to  be  ? 

Within  what  armor,  invisible  but  sure? 

Or  dare  to  meet  thee  with  the  white  flag  pure  ? 

I  will ;  alone  I'll  come  to  meet  the  fair, 

Not  e'en  in  David's  sling  a  smooth-cut  word. 


Songs  and  Verses.  51 


ALONE. 

ALONE  !   The  merry  dancers  laugh  to  see  my 

sad  amaze. 
"  'Twas  turning  in  the  dance,  "  they  cry  ;  "  it  is 

enough  to  craze." 

"  A  freak,"  they  say,  like  my  wild  self, 
To  dance  alone  like  some  mad  elf, 
Among  them  all  in  pairs. 

'Tis  gone  ;  and  yet  I  surely  felt  a  form  within 

my  arms. 
I  surely  felt  its  floating  hair,  lithe  waist,  and  all 

its  charms. 

It  stepped  with  me  about  the  floor, 
Its  hand  in  mine  a  pressure  gave,  as  if  the  dance 

to  check. 
And  then  —  it  was  no  more. 


52  Songs  and  Verses. 

Last  night  I  sat  upon  her  grave  and  called  ; 

she  would  not  come. 
I  said,  "  The  cruel  dead  forget,  else  could  they 

not  be  dumb." 
Nay,  I  will  dance  no  more  to-night ;  the  music 

is  a  dirge. 
Ah !    boys,  she   loved  me  ;   no  more    wine  — 

don't  urge. 
No,  I  would  not  forget. 


Songs  and  Verses.  53 


SEALED  ORDERS. 

I  RUN  on  thine  errands,  my  king, 

Through  the  fight,  and  the  night,  and  the 

storm. 
Concealed  next  my  heart  is  the  secret  —  the 

word, 
That  at  risk  of  my  life  must  be  borne. 

I  know  not  the  message  my  king 

Would  have  sent ;  but  I  know  it  may  save 

or  may  slay. 
I  bear  it  in  haste,  and  I  bear  it  with  zeal, 

The  honor,  the  trust,  is  my  pay  ! 


Songs  and  Verses 


THINE   EYES. 
I  READ  thine  eyes  ! 

I  know  the  eager  meaning  of  their  glance, 
I  know  their  ecstacy,  their  solemn  trance, 
I  know  their  longing,  and  the  unshed  tear, 
I  know  their  keen  anxiety,  their  sudden  fear, 
I  know  their  pathos  dumb,  their  dead,  despair, 
Their  hope  pathetic  and  their  weary  care, 
I  know  their  veiled  passion,  and,  above 
All,  I  read  their  secret  —  love  ! 


Songs  and  Verses. 


AUGUST. 

IN  bitter  strength  of  August  heat 

I  saw  a  little  brook  run  dry. 
I  stopped  to  count  the  piteous  stones 

Where  waves  and  bubbles  once  ran  high. 

The  golden-rod  and  aster  tall 

Stand  there  amid  the  stones. 
The  resurrection  of  the  brook 

Shines  in  their  golden  tones. 


feiwitfi^ 


ff6  Songs  and  Verses. 


THE  CAPTIVE. 

I  SOMETIMES  dream  thy  head  is  laid, 
My  conqueror,  on  thy  captive's  breast, 

And  which  is  victor,  which  is  slave, 
I  do  not  ask ;  so  let  it  rest. 

So  let  it  rest,  thy  captive  queen 

Smiles  o'er  thy  bended  head  to-night, 

And  asks,  "  Who  is  the  victor  here  ? 
And  wherefore  was  the  fight  ?" 


Songs  and  Verses. 


THE  ORCHARD. 

THE  quiet  comfort  and  the  still  belief  thy  pres 
ence  gives 

Is  like  the  strength  of  orchard  trees. 

They  shelter  from  the  sun  and  breeze. 

They  bloom  so  sweetly,  not  in  idle  flowers, 

But  set  their  fruit  and  wait  the  ripening  hours 

Of  rain  or  sun  or  cloud. 

So  do  I  find  thee  all  love's  seasons  through  : 
for  never  do 

We  ask  for  more  or  other  fruits 

Than  those  the  tree's  first  nature  suits. 

So  wholesome  is  thy  cheer  and  kindness,  friend. 

So  will  I  count  its  store,  nor  fear  the  end 

Of  bloom  or  fruit  or  shade. 


Sons  and   Verses. 


BIVOUAC. 

BIVOUAC  !    bivouac  !  calls  out  the  thunder. 

Tented  be  army  and  nested  be  bird  ! 
Deep  swim  the  fishes,  and,  seeking  a  shelter, 

Fly  on  the  wild  herd  ! 

Madly  the  grounded  arms  fight  with  the  light 
ning ! 

Out  fly  the  birds  from  the  storm-stricken  tree  ! 
Everything  trembles  except  the  fair  lilies  : 

How  peaceful  they  be  ! 


Songs  and  Verses.  59 


BUDDHA'S  MIRROR. 

STRANGE  is  the  Indian  worship. 
The  far  away  Hindoo,  devoted 
To  rites  and  symbols  fantastic, 
Over  his  head  while  praying 
Holds  up  a  mirror  for  staying 
The  image  of  spirit  down  coming. 
This  will  he  catch  by  ablutions 
Poured  meanwhile  on  the  mirror. 
Drinking  the  drops  that  o'erflow  it, 
Thus  doth  he  taste  the  immortal. 

Kneeling,  I  hold  up  the  mirror, 
Bend  but  an  instant  above  it. 
Tears  will  I  pour  there,  and,  drinking, 
Love  shall  make  me  immortal. 


60  Songs  and  Verses. 


SUSPICION. 

THE  cloud  that  fades  away  in  blue, 
Nor  stays  to  guard  the  dying  day, 
Hath  stolen  all  my  heart  away 

With  like  suspicion  of  thy  love. 

The  wind,  that  erst  from  bending  flowers 
Blew  to  the  east  a  perfume  sweet, 
Has  died,  and  I,  or  e'er  we  meet, 

The  meaning  of  thy  step  will  know. 

The  shadow  of  a  wandering  bird 
Flits  o'er  the  page  whereon  I  read, 
Effacing  records  —  ah  !  I  need 

Its  coaxing  wing  as  well  for  thine. 


Songs  and  Verses,  61 


INVISIBLE. 

I  SEE  my  heart  on  yonder  tree. 

Ah  me ! 
Look  if  you  will,  you  only  see 

On  yonder  tree, 
A  bird's  nest  filled  with  snow. 

Ah  me ! 

I  see  my  heart  on  the  little  brook. 

Ah  !  look  ! 
What  floats  so  well  on  the  little  brook  ? 

Ah  !  look ! 
A  dead  leaf  floats  upon  the  brook. 

Ah!  look! 


62  Songs  and  Verses. 


THE  BUTTERCUP  SONG. 

THOU  miser,  shy,  but  brave  ! 

How  dost  thou  hold  thy  gold  in  such  sure  way, 

That  all  the  clouding  of  the  darkest  day 

But  lets  thee  shine  the  more  ? 

When  all  the  sun  goes  out, 

And  leaves  the  green  in  heaviness, 

The  hillsides'  and  the  pastures'  evenness 

Besoclden  in  dull  rain,  — 

Like  gold  on  gaming  tables  plain, 

Thou  shinest  wanton  for  the  thieving  hand. 


Songs  and  Verses.       .  6j 


CONSIDER  THE  LILY. 

IN  the  burning  sun  the  reapers 

Bind  the  precious  sheaves. 
On  their  toiling  hands  the  thistle 

Blood  scars  leaves. 

Is  no  wheat  without  the  thistle  ? 

Is  no  harvest  without  tares  ? 
Yet  and  is  the  harvest  precious ; 

Worth  all  cares. 

Oh  !  ye  angels,  strong  and  tender, 

Faithful  shall  ye  be, 
Tho'  the  harvest  wound  the  white  hands 

That  shall  reap  for  me. 


64  Songs  and  Verses. 

But  the  Lcrd,  who  sends  the  angels, 
Comes,  and  now  I  see  Him  stand, 

And  from  out  thy  field  a  lily 

Plucks  He  with  His  blessed  hand. 

And  I  know  the  vision's  meaning  — 
That  thy  field  is  holy  ground ; 

For  He  smiles  upon  the  harvest 
Where  the  lily  shall  be  found. 


Songs   and   Verses.  65 


DAWN. 

MARIA,  send  an  angel 

To  wake  me  when  'tis  day. 
To  rouse  me  at  the  dawning, 

To  waft  my  dreams  away. 
With  wings  like  white  clouds  shining, 

With  eyes  as  full  of  light, 
To  bring  my  soul  its  dawning, 

To  snatch  me  from  the  night. 
I  shrink  into  the  darkness  ; 

I  dread  the  coming  day  ; 
Its  toils  and  its  privations 

Come  to  meet  me  on  the  way. 
Maria  !  send  an  angel 

To  wake  me  when  'tis  day. 


66  Songs  and   Verses. 

Rouse  me,  as  if  already, 

In  the  kingdom  that  is  light, 

I  waked  to  dwell  forever 

Where  "there  shall  be  no  night' 


IN  CHURCH. 

WHEN  I  see  him  sitting  by  her 
In  their  godly  pew  in  church, 
I  remember,  I  remember 
The  solemn  moonlight's  splendor 
When  he  made  the  great  surrender 
Of  all  he  had  to  tender 
To  one  who  could  not  do 
What  is  now  so  nicely  through, 


Songs   and   Verses.  67 

In  the  blending  two  in  one. 
(I  can  now  see  how  'tis  done.) 
But  has  he  ever  told  her? 
Is  that  why  the  coldest  shoulder 
She  ever  turns  toward  me, 
And  so  plainly  lets  me  see 
That  she's  the  happiest  woman, 
And  he's  the  happiest  one  man 
That  loved  her  first  and  last, 
That  loves  her  sure  and  fast? 
And  I  may  envy  if  I  will, 
And  watch,  as  from  a  window-sill, 
The  glory  of  the  woman  who 

Has    known    what    I    have    ne'er    been 
through,  — 

The  proffer  of  the  hand  of  man, 
The  bliss  that  doubtless  never  can 
Come  to  the  likes  o'  me  ! 


68  Songs  and   Verses. 

But  only  this  I'd  like  to  see  — 
My  lady  come  with  thanks  to  me 
(And  she  should  very  thankful  be) 
For  that  one  No,  that  she  must  know 
Has  brought  her  all  her  bliss  below. 


Songs   and  Verses.  69 


AUTUMN  MOODS.     I. 

SOMETHING  fails  from  out  my  heart, 

As  the  autumn  leaf  from  the  winded  tree. 

Helpless  I  stand  like  a  bare,  bare  branch ! 
Alas  !  must  the  winter  be  ? 

The  green  leaves  kept  me  from  too  much  sun 
They  died  from  his  burning  kiss. 

It  smites  me  now  on  my  branches  bare 
Is  this  the  winter  ?  this  ? 


70  Songs  and   Verses. 


FRIENDS. 

SPRING  hath  wooed  the  rosy  sunrise  ! 

Summer  loves  the  golden  noon  ! 
Autumn  knows  the  purple  sunset ! 

But  the  Winter  has  the  moon  ! 


Songs   and    Verses.  77 


AUTUMN  MOODS.     II. 

How  proudly  doth  the  tree  shake  off  her  leaves, 
When  once  they  blush  beneath  the  autumn  sun, 
And  clasp  the  shining  beams  of  light 
In  arched  and  quivering  branches  with  delight 

As  Venus  cast  from  off  her  rich  disguise 
Of  silken  dress  and  canopy  of  lace, 

When  Jove,  in  golden  shower,  would  give 
His  last,  his  mystical  embrace  ! 


72  Songs   and   Verses. 


AUTUMN  MOODS.    III. 

WHAT  is  the  Spring  time,  and  what  is  the  Sum 
mer? 

What  is  their  joy  and  their  beauty  to  me  ? 
Give  me  the  burning  regrets  of  the  Autumn  ! 

Give  me  its  purple,  its  crimson-bright  tree ! 

Give  me  the  strength  of  its  slow-dying  passion ; 

Glory  of  ripening;  its  heat-scented  ground. 

Give    me   the    hopeless,  the    proud,  the   rich 

Autumn, 

Who   haughtily  dies    when    her  treasure    is 
found. 


and   Verses.  73 


L'AMI   JEAN. 

IT  cannot  be  his  fingers 

That  touched  those  silent  keys, 
And  brought  out  that  twilight  music 

To  speak  with  the  evening  breeze. 
It  must  have  been  the  sunlight 

That  stole  through  the  glorified  trees 
And  played  in  echo  the  bird's  clear  songs 

Upon  the  trembling  leaves. 

It  must  have  been  the  sigh  that  crept 

From  out  a  lonely  heart, 
That  swept  those  sweet  arpeggios 

Across  my  listening  heart. 


Songs   and   Verses. 

It  must  have  been  a  quiet  tear 
That  melted  with  the  tone, 

And  made  that  last  pathetic  chord 
Like  one  sweet  word  —  my  home  ! 


THE  ASTRAL  BODY. 

As  scent    of    flowers    through    the    darkness 

stealing 

Is  to  the  soul  of  beauty  more  appealing 
Than  where  in  hand-grasp  even,  all  revealing 

Of  shape  and  loveliness,  they  rest. 

So  comes  thy  spirit's  blessed  visitation 
Through  silent  distance,  like  the  invitation 
Of  music's  prelude  for  the  inspiration 
Of  sudden  flight  or  song. 


Songs   and   Verses. 


GUILTY  OR  NOT  GUILTY. 

I  DREAMED  last  night  I  kissed  you ; 

A  blessed,  sinless  dream  ; 
To-day  I  coldly  pass  you. — 

Thank  heaven  !  I  did  but  dream. 
Thank  heaven  !  and  yet  that  kiss, 

That  never  touched  your  face, 
Hath  gone  from  out  my  heart 

And  left  a  tear  in  place. 


76  Sougs   and    Verses. 


PARTED. 

MILES  of  land  and  leagues  of  sea 
Ne'er  had  parted  you  and  me. 
Time's  often-setting  sun, 
Many  a  fairer  one, 
Ne'er  'd  do  what  meeting's  done- 
Parted  us. 


With  a  stilling  touch  of  peace, 
And  an  awed  sense  of  release, 
Meet  I  the  eyes  that  quelled, 
Clasp  I  the  hand  that  held. 
Tremble  not,  since  meeting  has 
Parted  us. 


Songs   and    Verses.  77 


GRAFTING. 

WHY  didst  thou  ask  me  for  a  kiss  ? 

Hadst   thou    no    foresight    how   it   then 

would  be  ? 
As  graft  upon  the  wild  thorn-tree 

A  different  nature  would  take  root  in  me  ? 


No  more  to  guard  the  wayside  path, 
With  thorny  pride  defend  my  flowers. 

I    feel    the    smooth-stemmed    branch    that 

towers 
A  garden  tree  ;  for  fruit  —  not  flowers. 


Songs   and  Verses. 


COURT  MARTIAL. 

WITH  bandaged  eyes  —  Love  made  them  fast 
I  stand  condemned,  and  wait  the  shot. 
The  minutes  pass  —  hast  thou  forgot 
To  give  the  order  —  Love  ? 

I  hear  the  word  —  it  is  reprieve. 
I  snatch  the  bandage  ;  look  around  ! 
No  armed  men  to  hold  the  ground,  — 
Only  the  leader  —  Love. 

He  gives  me  back  my  flag  and  sword, 
And  only  says  —  "  Condition  be,  — 
You  shall  not  use  them  against  me, 
For  I  am  — Love." 


Songs   and   Verses. 


A  SONG  FOR  A  SWEETHEART. 

SOWING  kisses,  careless  sweetheart ! 

Light  as  thistle  down  they  fly  ! 
Careless  sweetheart,  in  whose  garden 

Will  be  thistles  by  and  by? 

Careless  sweetheart  !  that  way  smiling  ! 

'Neath  whose  eyelids,  by  and  by, 
Will  the  tears  creep  down  and  make  the 

Heart  a  desert  —  sigh  on  sigh  ! 

Careless  sweetheart !  arms  about  him  — 
Chains  they  do  not  seem,  and  yet, 

Some  day  you  will  wish  to  break  them  • 
He  will  not  forget. 


8o  Songs   and   Verses. 


PARADISE. 

THE  river,  going  onward, 

Its  music  seemed  to  steal 
From  out  the  swaying  tree-tops, 

That  the  tender  south  winds  feel. 
The  shy,  sweet  grass  and  mosses 

About  our  feet  in  flower  ! 
For  birds  it  is  the  spring-time 

For  us  —  it  is  love's  hour. 


Earth  mourns  her  ancient  Paradise. 

But,  wherever  lovers  be, 
There  flows  its  magic  river, 

There  lives  its  fatal  tree. 


Songs   and   Verses.  81 

But  when  love's  lips  are  parted, 
And  ere  they  leave  the  place, 

Thou  canst  not  find  the  garden  — 
Tis  gone  —  there  is  no  trace. 


THE  PREPARED  TABLE. 

THEY  in  whose  veins  a  hopeless  love 

Hath  set  its  fire 

Are  like  the  feasters  at  a  traitor's  board  — 

Where  every  sweet  and  cup   with   which  the 

table's  stored 

Hath  poison  that  doth  rankle  and  make  keen 
The  appetite,  and  while  they  die  they  seem 
More  greedy  yet  to  eat  before  they  die. 


82  Songs   and    Verses. 


AN   OLD   SONG. 

ONE  day  Death  came  a-wooing, 
But  I  turned  him  from  the  door 

With  the  plea  (ah  !  sad  undoing) 
For  one  earthly  lover  more  ! 

But  should  Death  come  a-wooing 
On  this  day  to  my  door,  — 

I  had  rather  let  him  in 

Than  one  earthly  lover  more. 


Songs   and   Verses.  83 


MY  LONELINESS. 

MY  loneliness,  it  is  a  temple, 
Beautiful  and  still  and  grand, 

Where  I  worship  silently 
With  lifted  hand. 


Solemn,  but  not  sad,  not  wishful, 
There's  an  altar  ;  and  the  fire 

Sees  the  blessed  sacrifice 
Of  earth's  desire. 

Blessed  peace  !  the  temple's  surety 
From  all  care  or  hate  or  love, 

Built  of  answered  prayers,  a  lodge 
For  heaven's  Dove. 


84  Songs  and  Verses. 


DREAMS. 

WEARILY  came  I  at  midnight 
To  my  chamber  all  alone, 

To  the  bed  on  whose  white  pillow 
A  square  of  moonlight  shone. 


I  lay  me  down  on  that  pillow 
With  a  shuddering,  lonely  sigh, 

And  out  of  the  sleep  that  came  to  me 
The  vision  wandered  by: 

It  seemed  that  the  cold,  white  death-bond 

Did  calmly  hold  me  there, 
And  a  presence  was  round  about  me, 

That  I  breathed  as  I  breathe  the  air. 


Songs   and  Verses. 

And  the  voice  of  one  I  had  loved 
Spoke  like  the  voice  of  song, 

And  called  my  repentant  spirit 
To  the  heart  I  had  left  so  long: 


"  Thy  faithless  will  hath  perished 
With  the  death  of  the  dust  in  thee, 

And  the  spirit  that  shall  be  faithful 
Is  set  from  thy  body  free. 


"  The  love  that  comes  from  heaven 
To  which  thy  soul  hath  flown, 

Shall  not  betray  thy  dear  one 
As  thy  earth-born  heart  hath  done. 


86  Songs  and   Verses. 

11  Thou  wert  only  fit  in  dying 
To  love  such  an  one  as  I,  — 

Wait  in  the  heavens  for  me 
Till  I  shall  also  die." 


GRAY  HAIR. 

OLDER  !    Oh,  yes  ; 

And  my  hair  must  grow  old, 
But  one  lock  will  ever  be  young. 

One  lock  —  shall  the  secret  be  told  ! 
The  tress  that  you  kissed,  love, 

Will  never  grow  old. 

Gray-haired  !    Oh,  yes  ; 

And  white-haired  some  day, 


Songs  and  Verses. 

But  e'en  in  my  coffin 

One  lock  brown  will  stay  ; 

For  the  lock  that  you  kissed,  love, 
Will  never  grow  gray. 


CROWNED. 

WHEN  princes  marry  there  is  interchange  of 

priceless  gifts  ; 

And  then  the  throned  leads  the  other  up, 
That  all  may  see  them  equal. 
So  may  it  be  with  you  this  marriage  day, 
That  one  already  regnant  shall  make  the  other 

room  upon  the  throne, 
And  both  shall  rule  the  kingdom  of  your  love, 

and  neither  serve. 


88  Songs  and  Verses. 


THE  WILL  OF  THE  SPIRIT. 

SEEK  not  the  audible  ! 
The  voice  that  cries,  distrust ; 
For  by  the  inward  ear,  those  must 

Hear  what  the  spirit  wills. 

Voiceless  and  wordless  comes 
The  message  that  shall  rule, — 
Mightiest  in  silence  is  the  school 

Wherein  the  spirit  learns. 

Resist  not  heaven,  when 
A  greater  force  than  this 
Which  swings  the  earth  thou  must  resist. 

The  spirit's  will,  obey  ! 


Songs  and   Verses. 


MY  PRAYER. 

Not  a  word  :  in  silence  holy 

Do  I  pray  for  thee, 

All  my  heart-strength,  tense  and  life-strong 

Thus  my  prayer  shall  be. 

And  the  Christ-heart,  tender,  gracious, 

Feels  the  thrill  I  lend, 

Answers  with  the  gift  eternal, 

Not  with  that  I  send  ; 

And  the  love  of  God,  all  sacred, 

Blots  me  out ;  and  so 

With  a  reverent,  glad  submission 

Out  of  sight  I  go. 


Songs   and   Verses. 


TO    EDITH. 

EVERY  bird  must  die  some  morning, 

Die  of  a  shot,  in  sudden  pain, 
Die  a  starveling,  or  maybe  frozen, 

Die  in  the  snow,  or  the  heat,  or  the  rain. 
Die  as  it  flies  to  lands  of  summer, 

Die  as  it  sits  on  its  loveful  nest, 
Die  when  it  seeks  its  mate  at  spring-time, 

Or  when  its  throatful  song  is  best ! 

But,  alas  for  the  bird  that  lies  in  the  meadow 

And  slowly  dies  of  a  broken  wing  ; 
It  hath  flown  the  highest  and  sung  the  sweetest 

That  dies  at  last  from  a  broken  wing. 

*, 


YB  13757 


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